No. XXVIII.

The History of Betty Thomson, and her Family and Neighbours; being the First Part of a practical Commentary on the Reports of the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor.

CHAPTER I.

The Death of SQUIRE GOODENOUGH.-Some Account of Him. His grand Monument.— Who Mrs. Jones was.

SQUIRE

QUIRE GOODENOUGH's death * last winter was regretted by every one; but by none more, than by his tenants and neighbours at Monk Appleton, where his estate was situated, and where he had spent the last ten years of his life. The Squire, in his youth, had been called to the bar, and had had some share of business; being a man of a sound understanding, and unsullied character, though not gifted

This little narrative will not be found in the Reports, but is now first published. It is also printed separately for Distribution, in the hope of its inducing the Cottager to benefit by some of the improvements recommended by the Society.

with those peculiar talents, which are essential to an elevated situation in that profession. His age was between forty and fifty, when he came into possession of his uncle's estate, on the death of his cousin, without issue.

He determined to quit the law, to which he had never been much attached; to put the family seat in repair, and fixing himself in the midst of his estate, to try how far the property which had devolved to him upon his cousin's death, could be made the source of comfort and advantage to himself, and to those about him. The greater part of his law library he sold: and purchased all the Tracts he could meet with, respecting the economy of the Poor, and the improvement of their domestic habits and comforts. He soon became capable of distinguishing between the different classes of authors; between those who formed books from the day-dreams of their waking hours, and those who gave the result of what had been fairly tried, and the observations which had occurred during the trial.

Mr. Goodenough began by serving in rotation the different parish offices. He then took out his dedimus, as a magistate. In his new line of the profession, he found it much easier

to get into full business, than in Westminster Hall. The disputes and controversies of the neighbourhood were settled in his little bow parlour; and the effects which he produced around him, are so well known, that it would be superfluous for me to give any account of them. Every thing which attention and kindness could do, was directed to the benefit of his tenants and neighbours. A regular system of well arranged benevolence, pervading every cottage, and reaching every individual around him, was so successfully administered, and with such general effect, that few travellers have ever passed the road through Monk Appleton, without stopping to admire the neatness of the cottages, the crops of the gardens, the division of the cow pastures, the beauty of the new school, the healthy and cheerful looks of the înhabitants, and the variety of circumstances, which denoted the industry and happiness of the possessors -The stone on the Church wall, which you see from the high road, was put up by a subscription of the cottagers for several miles round, who each gave the value of one day's milk of their cows. It contains the following inscription.

Mr. Goodenough had a servant of the name of JONES, who had had the care of his little establishment in Chancery-lane. Upon his

coming to the family estate, and removing to

Monk Appleton, he appointed her his housekeeper; trusting her not only with the

management of his family, but in a great degree, with the execution of the plans which he formed for the benefit of his poor neighbours. He was not deceived in his confidence: for though she -possessed a liberal mind, and an active and Seager temper, yet Mrs. Jones was frugal and careful. She held waste to be a deadly sin; having, with her Master's leave, had painted in

large black letters, over the kitchen chimney, those sacred words, pronounced in the moment of miraculous plenty,-GATHER UP THE FRAĠMENTS THAT REMAIN, THAT NOTHING MAY BĘ

LOST. The consequence was, that though his estate was never more than 800l. a year, and though he set apart (as other gentlefolks do) a tenth part of his income to charity, yet he lived more respectably and hospitably, than some other Squires, with twice, nay thrice his income, and yet he never run out.

CHAPTER II:

Mrs. Jones determines to visit her Sister-the Journey-arrives at Middle Dean-Family Prayer-View of the Dean.

WHY should I renew my own and my reader's sorrow, by describing the circumstances of the Squire's death, and the unavailing care and attention of his faithful housekeeper? The estate, we all know, went, on his death without issue, to his next brother, Captain Goodenough, then serving in the West Indies. Upon opening the Squire's Will, they found he had left the furniture and stock, and the arrears of rent, to his brother; and the rest of his personal